Hulu Klang assemblyman Saari Sungib (second from left), contributed RM2,500 on behalf of the Selangor government

The moment I snap this picture, Reduan turned away from FAM assistant general secretary Saifuddin, who was given a hard time by all the former internationals following FAM's decision to ban Reduan for 12 months

Former international footballer Sardar Khan Hyder Khan passed away this morning at 8.30am. The eldest brother of former international right-back and FA of Malaysia general secretary Datuk Dell Akbar Khan, Sardar was a member of the all-conquering Selangor side in the 1960s. Surely one of the feathers in his cap was his appearance for the Asian All-Stars in 1967.

Alongside Selangor team mates, keeper Chinna Karuppan, Chow Kwai Lam and M. Chandran, as well as Perak's Foo Fook Chuan - to complement the likes of Vietnamese playmaker Do Thoi Vinh, Indonesian duo Yaacob Sihasaley and Soejipto as well as Iran's Akbar Idifhari, the hard-tackling Sardar did not look out of place but the opposition, the visiting Arsenal side, were in an uncompromising mood, winning the historic match 6-2.

Sardar's first glimpse of potential was discovered at the Batu Road school where he represented the Under-12. He went through the whole process, competed in the Burnley Cup and later played for Umno - then dubbed the `DreamTeam' in Selangor football - in the early Sixties when they swept all before them. The Umno matches at Police Depot and TPCA Stadium were a pleasure to watch. It was sheer magic, according to former Malay Mail writer, Tony Danker.

Dell said Sardar belonged to the generation that had Choo Seng Quee as their master who taught them the right basics. "The players would not leave the pitch unless they have hit the designated corner as instructed. That was how they mastered the basics."

Recalling the days when Sardar and him were brothers only outside the pitch, Dell said: "No quarters asked, and none given, that in a nutshell described his attitude on the pitch. He gave you hell if you happened to be on the opposing side. In one match between Selangor and Police, I gave Chandran a gash near the ankle, in he came as a substitute for Chandran and he made sure every time I got the ball he was there to hound me. He was gunning for my neck. If you were in his team, he would act as the big brother, guiding you from the back. If otherwise, he was a no-nonsense centre-back. You can ask Rahim Abdullah the 12-inch long stud marks Sardar gave him all those years ago. We were using either boots from Thailand or custom-made by a shop called Broadway in Singapore. The studs were sharpened by walking on the cement at the dressing room."

Dell likened the Chandran-Sardar partnership in central defence to the Soh Chin Aun-Santokh Singh combination in the late 1970s.

"Kopi O keras" was Sardar's way of telling his team mates to impose their authority in the game early.

"We had to show them who's the boss to gain the psychological advantage."

With the blood of the legendary fighting nomadic Khans from the Khyber Pass coursing through their veins, Sardar and Dell, were not one to turn their backs on a challenge. Their father, Hyder Amir Khan, migrated to Kuala Lumpur at the age of 16 and settled down with Zaiton who today is still sharp at 87.

"He was a Pathan from Khyber Pass. He was a cattle trader who knew every nook and corner in the country due to the nature of his business," said Dell of his father who died at the age of 104.

Naturally, Sardar had his run-ins with officials as well, as there was one occasion where he was blacklisted in the 1971 President Park's Cup in Seoul for insubordination. His days in the national team were numbered. Sardar was laid to rest at the AU2 Muslim cemetery, where Mokhtar Dahari and my Mak were buried as well.

We salute this warrior who defended, held and advanced forward the flag of Malaya and Malaysia...leading the Super Tigers and Selangor Red Giants with distinction despite difficult times. This is the ultimate sacrifice.

RizalI share the feelings of Subkhidin regarding your contribution in making known the services, sacrifice, and achievements of our athletes,sports administrators and sportsmen in general, both of the present and past. Keep up the good work. Local sports need more media coverage to instill and develop interest among the young. We must tell them about our local heroes. We must sow the seed in their hearts. Only then we can hope for a future of local sportsmen and women who would put excellence as their primary objective and champion for the pride and honour of our country.

Ref Amir, oh yes you are right, I guess my memory databank is gradually diminishing! I remember going to the stadium watching Jamaluddin partnering Reduan Abdullah in midfield. there was one final where he was called upon to play at right-back after K. Gunasegaran was injured illustrating his versatility, just as Amri Yahyah is equally adept at right-back, central midfield or just behind the striker. Thanks ref!

Yes Mr selangorfc.com, my apologies for the oversight, i took for granted it was the ref from maldives, thanks for pointing that out, as you can see I got a picture of zulkifli and mohd shah norbit, but missing is jamaluddin. haha. Salam

About Me

Freelance journo, self-proclaimed football expert, sports critic. Used to be on the payroll of Berita Harian and the Malay Mail. Byline has appeared in Berita Harian, Harian Metro, New Straits Times, Malay Mail, Kosmo, Footballasia, France Football, Agence France Presse. Malaysian Press Institute's Sportswriter of the Year 2005 (English category), Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup 2007-Sportswriters Association of Malaysia contest Grand Prize winner. Former Sportswriters Association of Malaysia secretary, has completed the Grand Slam - having covered the SEA Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and the Olympics. Editor of the now defunct football weekly pullout with Kosmo, Rembat, which loosely means "Kick" and host of Malaysia's first hard-talk show on sports - Dengan Izin (If I may). Jury of FIFA Ballon d'Or since 2010. Currently columnist for FourFourTwo Malaysia and editor of Arena E Mag, the digital magazine published by Astro Digital Publications Sdn Bhd

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